John C. McMeekin II spoke at the 26th Annual Spring ABA Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Conference April 6-8, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference focused on “Hot Topics in Toxic Torts and Environmental Law.” 

John has led the national charge to challenge improper assertion of jurisdiction over his clients and has several published opinions upholding his clients’ challenges to personal jurisdiction. He spoke the program “Let’s Get Personal: The Renewed Resurgence in Personal Jurisdiction Decisions,” on April 7. His focus was the differences between general and specific jurisdiction and the strategic aspects of challenging personal jurisdiction. The session explored how the courts have applied the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court’s Daimler and Walden decisions restricting the jurisdiction of U.S. courts. The panel focused on application in the multi-defendant cases so prevalent in mass tort litigation.

John was joined on the panel by Beth M. Kramer of Lockheed Martin Corporation; Adena S. Edwards, Claims Manager, Environmental & Crisis Management Claims, Starr Adjustment Services, Inc.; Sabrina Mizrachi, Esq. Vice President, Environmental Services, Safety & Sustainability & Associate General Counsel, Republic Services; and Scott D. Pfeifer of Cray Huber Horstman Heil & VanAusdal LLC.